ZWAS activities in Surat

As per its usual practice, the Zoroastrian Women’s Association of Surat (ZWAS) organized a number of activities during the muktad and Gatha days. On August 9, 2009, three competitions were held for the youth of the community — making greeting cards, creating chalk and rangoli designs and prayer contests — founder trustee of ZWAS, Maharukh Z. Chichgar has written to inform Parsiana.

Emphasizing the efforts of ZWAS, well-known writer and social worker Rusi Besania, chief guest for the evening, spoke on empowerment of women and their role in building a cultured and ethical society. He was accompanied by his wife Yasmin and introduced to the gathering by Chichgar.

Youngsters in the age groups 5-7 years, 8-12 years and 13-16 years participated in the greeting cards making contest with which the day’s events commenced. Wonderful and innovative ideas flowed and colors were splashed over paper as enthusiastic participants got down to work. Standing first, second and third respectively in the youngest age group were Sanaya Katpitia, Meher Patrawala and Jahan Mistry. In the next age group Verolin Cooper came first, followed by Shehnaz Pithawala and Rika Jivasa in second and third place. Varun Elavia received a consolation prize in this age group. Kaivan Todiwala topped the 13-16 years group followed by Daanesh Bhathena who emerged second while Digzania Jivasa and Arnawaz Gole tied for the third slot, the write-up reveals.

(Top row, from l): ZWAS prayer competition; chalk and rangoli contest; (Second row, from l): chief guest Rusi Besania and wife Yasmin; Pearl Wadia and Farida Anklesaria judging art contests; prayer competition judges Ervads Zubin Dalal and Porous Zaroliwala; Below: Gathering at Khareghat Colony’s War Memorial; (inset, top) naval trumpeter; (inset below, from l): Dinshaw Mehta, Khojeste Mistree, Kersi Surti, Arnavaz Mistry, Vispi Dastur and Cmde Aspi Marker

At the typical Parsi chalk and rangoli competition that followed for those above 16 years of age, some truly novel concepts emerged. Ruby Elavia stood first, followed by Farzeen Katpitia in second place while Sanober Pajnigara and Benaz Elavia shared the third prize, the write-up says. Pearl Wadia, proprietor and principal of a pre-nursery school, and Farida Anklesaria, artist and fashion designer who ably judged these two competitions were introduced by event chairperson Mahatab Variava.

ZWAS president Shehnaz Dastur welcomed one and all to the prayer competition. Senior member Perin Karanjia introduced the judges, Ervads Zubin Dalal and Porous Zaroliwala. Participants in this contest were judged in three age groups. In the 3-6 years group the first prize was shared by Kainaz Chothia and Yazdi Gole. Binaisha Bhada stood second while the trio of Afroz Sathvavwala, Kayan Katpitia and Ilsicca Dutia tied for third place. Daraius Gyaara stood first in the 7-9 year age group, Sanaya Katpitia and Diana Gole shared the second slot and Nishmin Mistry came third. Standing first, Varun Elavia was the sole winner in the 10-13 years age group, the write-up lists.

The event was compered by Sheryl Elavia, ZWAS well wisher Aspi Bharucha took the photographs, ZWAS secretary Tanaz Coachman offered a vote of thanks and Dilnaz Besania supervised and backed the day’s activities, the write-up notes.